Ryder Cup dates finalized

The Belfry to hold golf extravaganza Sept. 27-29, 2002

Ligonier, Pa.  The Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup are trading places on the calendar beginning next year.

The Ryder Cup, scheduled for Sept. 28-30 at The Belfry in England until it was postponed one year because of the terrorist attacks, will be played Sept. 27-29 in 2002 at the same location with the same captains and the same 12-man teams.

After that, the matches between the U.S. and Europe will be played permanently in even-numbered years. The Ryder Cup has been held every other year since 1927, with the exception of a 10-year break during World War II.

"I don't think playing in odd-numbered years added a whole lot to the atmosphere," U.S. captain Curtis Strange said Wednesday.

The PGA Tour agreed to push back the Presidents Cup one year to November 2003 in South Africa. It will be played in odd-numbered years.

PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem said he was working on a couple of issues, including TV, before announcing a 2003 date for the Presidents Cup.

The Ryder Cup was supposed to return to the United States in 2003 at Oakland Hills Country Club outside Detroit. Those matches will take place in 2004.